2013 Goodguys Southwest Nationals - Westworld

Westworld of Scottsdale is probably known to many people for many different things; after all the venue hosts bull riding events, dog shows, music festivals, and is a renowned equestrian center. But if you're a gearhead it's where the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction is held every January, and where the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association holds its Southwest Nationals in November.

This past November's Goodguys event also saw the last of our Rod & Custom/Coker Tire Fab Five awards picks for 2013, and what a great place to cap the Fab Five program! Despite the unusual rain prior to the event, and clouds throughout keeping the event somewhat cooler than normal, the fantastic mountain backdrop makes this show unique in the Goodguys calendar. The ever-increasingly popular autocross, coupled with Goodguys' "Terrific 12" cars of the year, a great (and large) swap meet, the usual Goodguys specialty parking areas, and over 3,000 attendees, meant the venue was heaving, and getting around to select our Fab Five was difficult at times. At one point on Saturday the officials actually stopped any more cars entering the show field, it was that full! Good thing we'd driven in somewhat early for once!

It took us several return trips to where Don Hamilton had parked his 1931 A coupe before we found him with his car, but it was worth it. The chopped coupe out of Albuquerque, NM, runs a 331ci Caddy with four deuces, and uses a 1932 frame, grille shell, and gas tank. Ron Mangus stitched the subtle tan interior, while a quick-change hides under the rear.

Dan Van Auken's chopped, channeled, and sectioned Deuce roadster hails from Lake Havasu City, AZ. That's a Motor City Flathead side valve under the hood, the bulge necessary to clear the twin carbs on a high-rise intake. Note the grille insert narrowed to fit the modified grille shell.

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Donald Ball
Scottsdale, Arizona
1937 Coupe

One of only 1,920 rumble seat coupes manufactured in 1937, Donald Ball has owned his for several years. He originally built it as a street rod, and it even appeared on PPG's calendar, but rebuilt the coupe as a custom, the most noticeable changes being the fender skirts and 1938 Studebaker headlights, which involved substantial reworking of the front fender sheetmetal. Donald and his wife had just returned from a multi-state roadtrip before this event.

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Bill Ewing
Tucson, Arizona
1932 Ford Coupe

Bill Ewing's 1932 five-window must be the cleanest Deuce sheetmetal we've ever seen. Every factory spot weld is visible inside and out, and underneath is as clean as the topside. Ewing paid $10,000 for it in 1988 with an SBF and auto, the rebuild with the current Ardun involving no bodywork whatsoever! The chassis now bolts together, the factory rivets long gone, and there's a Cyclone quick-change out back and safety wire throughout the vehicle.